Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas of the lower limbs: a study of integrin expression in 11 cases

Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma is a rare disease. Among the cutaneous B lymphomas, B-cell lymphomas of the lower limbs appear as a special subgroup with a prognosis that is possibly worse than that of primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas located on the trunk, arms or head, with more frequent relapses. In addition, some recent studies indicate that the level of expression of integrins on tumour cells could be related to the clinical course of the disease. This study reports on 14 cases of primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas of the lower limbs and their clinical course. A study of integrin expression by tumour cells was performed in 11 of these cases. With a mean follow-up of 31 months, the study confirmed the worse prognosis of lymphomas with a predominance of centroblasts and immunoblasts (3 deaths) compared with lymphomas with a predominance of centrocytes, as well as their higher rate of recurrence (7/11). A correlation was confirmed between the course of the disease and the level of expression of lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and very late antigen-4 by tumour cells.